Gun loading mechanism



April 15, 1952 c. F. BRERETON GUN LOADING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 5, 1947 I .z/ am y film M1501;

er rre n 4% 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1947 fer: on 015 Q IT. 5 M M IIII I I 9 my i A T l h ll! ||||l r I! April 15, 1952 c. F. BRERETON GUN LOADING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 5, 1947 April 15, 1952 c. FIBRERETON GUN LOADING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-$heet 4 Filed Sept. 5, 1947 April 1952 c. F. BRERETON 2,592,790

GUN LOADING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 5, 194'? 5 SheetsSheet 5 FIG. 5., H

C hm to her firere an 47 By W 1' Agent:

Patented Apr. 15, 1952 GUN LOADING MECHAN ISM Christopher-Francis Brereton, London, England,

assignor toVickers-Armstrongs Limited, London,- England,- aB'r'itish company Application September 3, 1947, Serial No. 771,909 In GreatBritain August 19, 1946 Section 1, Public'Law 690,August 8,1946- Patent-expires August 19, 1966 l 16 Claims.

This invention relatesitdmechanism for load= ing guns and/01vdischargingispent cases therefromt'land'; has for tits: object r to provide: means wherebyvaz substantially continuous: supply of ammunition and/or' discharge of. case can" be maintained to sand/orfromvthe gun; when. the gun isiof:thecztypeiiwhich normally hitherto haszdepended .up'ontiindividual loading. of i the ammunia tion rintosthef breach directly? or? by the: feed of the rounds into at trough'zlocated in the rear: of the breech, v andzmor'e particularly the invention is intendedLto providesmeans'for the supply: of :ammunitionito and/orfdischarge of: cases: from'me.=- diumz' orilik'e type naval fortress. or tank: gun. in such manner 'that'a; substantially continuous sup ply-E ammunition is maintained..foriall.l angles of: elevation". Qnnre; In t'hist connection it" is knownltoa feed the rounds. automatically in suecession fromlaaremovableclip onithe smaller: type oflantit aircraft'or: field: gun, .b'utfhitherto with most forms of guns e. g. those employing'conveyors or i'hOiStS? for: feeding:therammunition to the'floading trough or guns" or: tanks: or the." like this :continuous' supply has involved: problems which'combinedwith heavy and complicated ma chineryhas discouragedthe' use'ofi what can1.b'e regarded'ras. magazine typeuof feed'etothe breech.

Accordingto thisiinvention the rounds are 'fed into' the breech in COrQXiZLl' alignment with .the

gun;.and'a srotarycarrier isiprovided for carrying the rounds: in: succession to. the loading position; such carrierbeingadrptech to receive its. supply of: ammunitionv in a direction at an angle; with respect to the of the gun. Alternatively, or iniladdition; theoarrier can act" as a receiver-for spent-eases to convey the cases: automatically in succession from the breech toadischarge' point. 'Inorder that the invention maybe-clearly understood and readily-carried into ellectdraw-'- ings-are-appended hereto illustrating an 'embodi: ment. thereof; and wherein:

li'igure 1: is-a-part-sectional view on the plane including= the-axes of the gun barrel and trunnions,

Figure 2 is atside elevation View of Figure 1, Figure e-3r is a plan view toea srnaller scale showing a suitabledisposition of the gun loading meansinaa singlegunturret,

V Figure -4.v-is .-a partsectional rear elevation view of Figure 3, and

- Figure 54s: a-sectional side elevation view of Figured.- 1 V e l -Beferring; to the drawings-the cradle I of the gun is I, carriedin trunnion bearings 2, the cradle atgthe 'breechlend of .the. gunliaving a rectangular U configuration so as to: produce two parallel side-arms 3 and lcarryingat their-rear" ends respectivelyshafts 5 and t whose axes produced meet the axesofthe gun barrel andtrunnions at their point ofinter-section and on whichrotaterespectively sleeves l and 8, suitable bushes 9" being provided for bearings. The sleeves I and 8 carrying respectively truncated conical carriers It and it each provided with a-plurality-of radiating tubular receivers l2 :and I3" respectively; these tubular receivers being equidistantly spaced about the truncated'conical carriers It and H and arranged sothat-their,axes'meetithe axes of the'gun, the trunnions .andthe axis pins ina' commonpointof intersection, the carrier for the-set of receivers l2-being so related with the carrier for the receivers lite. g. after the. manner of the-teeth of a' pairof bevel gears; that consequent on simultaneous; 'step-by-step rotation of the-carriers- H3 and ll at'equal speeds such receivers-will be brought successively and alternately into co-axial alignment .with loadingtray l4 fixed to thebreech andlalso intocoaxial alignment with the-trunnions; In the-accompanying-drawings an even number of receivers is'shown on each of the=carriers Ill-and l l, but theuse-of an odd number is not excluded; The intended arrangement issuch. that I rounds to be'fired are'fedinto'the'receivers'l Zwhen these are: co-axial with the trunnions and transferred step-by-step-bythe rotation of the carrier l0 into alignment with the gun. Theyarethen loaded into the gun andrthecarriers Ill; and II rotated until-a; receiver" I3'onflthe carrier H is aligned with the gunwhichmay then be fired and the case ejected into the-receiver l3 after which a, :further step-by-step rotation of th'e'carriers land brings the receiver I3 into alignment with the trunnions when the case-isdischarged; e. g. intoa return chute l5 (see Figure l), which=canhave combined therewith at its upper end abranch chute It dischargingon to the deck or other convenient position, selection as to the point of discharge being afiorded by means of an adjustable shutterll in abridge structure across the upper end ofthe chute i 5.

The roundsare fed in succssioninto thesuccessive tubular guides-l2 of thecarrier Hi from the magazine IE -(see Figurese andfl5) or other convenient-source of supply via ahoistlll of known form anda part-arcuateguide 20 :having at its upper terminala power operatedram 2i for pushing each round: into the appropriate 7 tubular guide !2; The'feedof ammunitionalong thehoist guide I9 andrthe movements-crane ram 2| are synchronised with the movements of a chain-link type of ram 22 having an operating end co-axial with the breech and adapted to feed the round in the tubular guide l2 which is coaxial with the tray l4 into the breech, this ram 22 being operated from a motor 23 adapted to operate alternately with a motor 24 which drives both of the carriers l and H through the medium of two shafts 25 and 26 arranged with their axes at right angles to each other and provided with bevel gear wheels 21 which eii'ect the desired transmission from the motor 24 to the carriers l0 and II, by meshing with bevel gear wheels 28 and 29 respectively fixed on spindles 30 nd SI driving the carriers l0 and H through the medium of pinions 32 and annuli 33, the annuli 33 being carried by a pair of discs 34 which co-operate with another pair of discs 35 which connect the truncated conical carriers to the sleeves 5 and 8.

The motors 23 and 24 are carried by a V- shaped frame 36 which also carries the bearings for the shafts 25 and 26, this frame being provided at its ends with bearings for the sleeves 5, I and 8 about which rotate the carriers l0 and H the apex or rear-most portion of this frame being fixed to the trailing end of a stout strut 3'1 forming a cantilever projecting rearwardly from the cradle I.

Following the alignment of the appropriate receiver [2 with the breech, the rotation of the motor 24 is stopped and the motor 23 brought into operation automatically to effect the ramming of the round into the breech, the rammer 2| at the same time transferring a round from the hoist 20 to the appropriate receiver aligned with it. Immediately upon retraction of the ram 22 by the reverse drive operation of the motor 23, the motor 24 is brought into operation to align one of the tubular guides l3 of the car rier II with the breech, whereupon the round is fired the gun recoils and the empty cartridge case is ejected into the tubular guide |3 co-axial with the breech at the same time and a fired case is removed, by a mechanism hereinafter described, from the appropriate guide l3 aligned with the trunnions. The motor 24 is again brought into operation to advance the carriers l0 and I to the desired extent to align one of the tubular receivers l2 with the breech for receiving the ram 22 for ramming the round home into the breech, and another with the rammer 2| to receive a round from the hoist 20.

It will be evident that it is a simple matter to control the operation of the motors 23 and 24 so that rotation of the carriers l0 and II only take place when the ram 22 is fully retracted, and also means is provided whereby the firing mechanism is locked against operation otherwise than when one of the empty cartridge case receiving guides I3 is aligned with the breech. This latter means is not shown but may comprise equidistantly spaced segmental abutments on the carrier II which obstruct firing movement of a part of the firing mechanism.

The discharge of the empty cartridge cases from the tubular guide I3 is effected automatically by bringing into operation at the period when the rammer 22 is operating a motor 38 driving an endless chain 39 accommodated within a hood 40 mounted with the motor 38 on the appropriate side of the gun breech, this hood 4!! together with the motor 38 being carried upon a segmental plate 4| fixed to a squared extension 2a of the trunnion 2, the segment 4| being guided in a segmental channel or angle plate 42 fixed to the trunnion bracket 43. The endless chain 39 carries a plurality of fingers 44 adapted to travel along longitudinal slots |3a provided in the guide tubes l3 so as to eject theempty cartridge cases into the chute It.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the present invention provides means for automatically feeding rounds to and discharging cartridge cases from a gun for any position of elevation and affording a wide angle of movement in the elevating direction. It will be evident that the axes of the receivers l2 and I3 will always traverse a path intersecting the axis of the trunnions and also that of the gun, and that the correct alignment of the receivers with either trunnion or gun depends solely on the appropriate increment of rotation being given to the carriers l0 and and not at all to the elevation of the sun.

In order to ensure that these operations take place in their correct sequence suitable interlocking devices may be provided.

To enable a high rate of fire to be maintained the hoist l9 has located adjacent its lower end a rotary or endless conveyor platform 41 embodying round receiving tubular guides 45 brought successively over a feeder 46 which process the rounds into the hoist in known manner.

It will be appreciated that only one rotary carrier need be employed, e. g. for loading the gun and if desired receiving in each receiver tube an empty case following the delivery from the appropriate empty receiver tube of the live round into the'breech. Alternatively the single rotary carrier can act merely to receive spent cases.

It will be understood that the present invention is intended for use with guns of the larger medium or like type, as of course with light cannon or heavy machine guns the customary chainlink or replaceable magazine would be employed.

I claim:

1. In combination, a gun of the type in which the rounds are fed into the breech in a direction along the axis of the gun, a rotary carrier on one side of the gun for carrying the rounds in succession to the loading position so that each round has its axis located in the aforesaid direction, means .to feed the rounds into the carrier in a direction at an angle with respect to the axis of the gun, means supporting the carrier for rotation on an axis located and extending between the directions of feed of rounds into and out of said carrier, a like additional carrier on the other side of the gun but adapted to receive spent cases from the gun and to convey them away from the gun, and means to discharge the spent cases from said additional carrier.

2. Mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the receivers are tubes open at both ends and each provided with an elongated slot, and the means for the ejecting of the empty cartridge cases therefrom comprises an endless chain having abutments projecting therefrom and adapted to traverse the said slots in succession.

3. Mechanism accirding to claim 2 wherein said chain has one track parallel with the conical periphery of the appropriate carrier, and a motor is provided to drive the chain, said motor being carried by a support fixed to a trunnion of the gun.

4. In combination, a gun of the type in which the rounds are fed into the breech in a direction along the axis of the gun, two rotary carriers disposed one each side of the gun, a set of receivers on each of said carriers, each said set of receivers enerating: a --conicah surface as the rassoci'atedz carrier revolves so that for tevery complete" rota? tionf the carriers the receivers are broughtisuczcessively "into i alignment: with the: breech, a: disecharge guide on one side of the gun, the receivers" of one. carrier; receiving: spent cases from the breech and conveyingthe spent cases to a position opposite thedischarge guide, means to discharge the spent: cases." into.- said: discharge guide,

and means to feed rounds into thelreceivers of the other carrierbefore the receivers-reach alignment with the breech.

5. Mechanism according to' claim 4, whereinthe two carriersare-disposed symmetrically with relation= to thegunaxis on opposite sides of the gun cradle and both carried off the gun cradle for rotation, thetwo rotary carriers being supported for rotation upon shafts having axes con verging'towards the point 'of intersectioniof the gunfaxisand'the' axis'of'trunn'ions:

Gi -Mechanismaccording-to claim 5 wherein a frame is fixed relative to the gun carriage in rear of the carriers and also supports said shafts, and carries in alignment with the breech a loading rammer, two power units being mounted on said carrier adapted to drive the loading rammer and the two carriers, the tubular receivers of the two carriers being equidistantly spaced with respect to their carriers and the receivers of one carrier and those of the other carrier being adapted to be brought singly alternately into alignment with the gun breech.

7. Mechanism according to claim 6 wherein each rotary carrier is of truncated conical form carrying on its periphery the tubular receivers, and having at its larger diameter end a toothed annulus with which meshes a gear member driven off the appropriate power circuit of said frame.

8. Mechanism for conveying rounds into the loading position on a gun mounted in a cradle with trunnions about the axis of which the gun is adjustable for changing the angle of elevation, and in which the rounds are fed into the breech in co-axial alignment with the gun, comprising a rotary carrier mounted for rotation at 45 to, and intersecting thepoint of intersection of the gun barrel and trunnion axes, a plurality of equidistantly spaced tubular receivers supported by the carrier symmetrically relative to the axis of rotation of the carrier and with their axes converging to the said point of intersection and lying on the surface of a right-circular cone of semivertical angle of 45 also containing the barrel and trunnion axes, and means to guide rounds into the receivers along the axis of the trunnions.

9. Mechanism for conveying rounds into the loading position on a gun mounted in a cradle with trunnions about the axis of which the gun is adjustable for changing the angle of elevation, and in which the rounds are fed into the breech in co-axial alignment with the gun, comprising a rotary carrier mounted for rotation at 45 to, and intersecting the point of intersection of the gun barrel and trunnion axes, a plurality of equidistantly spaced tubular receivers supported by the carrier symmetrically relative to the axis of rotation of the carrier and with their axes converging to the said point of intersection and lying on the surface of a right-circular cone of semi-vertical angle of 45, also containing the barrel and trunnion means to guide rounds into the receivers along the axis of the trunnions and means supporting the said carrier from the gun cradle so that the carrier. :follows the elevation; movements: of :Pthe gun:

cradle. 7 10. :.Mechanism 'for" feeding. rounds" into a gun the round? therein: to the loading j position. and

thereafterto return to theeroundreceiving, position; said carrier rotating: on an axis at 45 with respectsto the gun axis, andthe receiver lying:

on the surface. of a right-circular cone of semivertical angleof' 45, and a further like rotarycarrier having a receiver: adapted to receive empty-cartridge cases from the gun and to, carry: the; cases'to a discharge point,.the two carriers being'disposed symmetrically with relation'to the un axis on. opposite. sides. of the gun cradle.

11; Mechanism for conveying rounds into the:

loading position on a gun mounted in a cradle with trunnions about the axis of which the gun is adjustable for changing the angle of elevation, and in which the rounds are fed into the breech in co-axial alignment with the gun, comprising a rotary carrier mounted for rotation at 45 to, and intersecting the point of intersection of the gun barrel and trunnion axes, a plurality of equi-distantly spaced tubular receivers supported by the carrier symmetrically relative to the axis of rotation of the carrier and with their axes converging to the said point of intersection and lying on the surface of a rightcircular cone of semi-vertical angle of 45 also containing the barrel and trunnion axes, means to guide rounds into the receivers along the axis of the trunnions, means supporting the said carrier from the gun cradle so that the carrier follows the elevation movements of the gun cradle, and a further like rotary carrier with a like arrangement of tubular receivers adapted to receive empty cartridge cases from the gun and to carry the cases to a discharge point, the two carriers being disposed symmetrically with relation to the gun axis on opposite sides of the gun cradle.

12. Mechanism according to claim 11 wherein means is provided for automatically ejecting empty cartridge cases from the tubular receivers of said further carrier following movement thereof through a predetermined angle away from the case receiving position.

13. Mechanism according to claim 11 wherein the two carriers, when rotated, alternate with each other in presenting a receiver in alignment with the breech.

14. Mechanism according to claim 11 wherein the two carriers are supported for rotation upon shafts having axes converging towards the point of intersection of the gun barrel and trunnion axes, said shafts being supported each at its end remote from the breechby a frame fixed to the cradle and extending beyond the rear of the carriers and carrying in axial alignment with the breech a loading rammer and also two power units adapted to drive the loading rammer and the two carriers.

15. Mechanism according to claim 11 wherein the tubular receivers adapted to receive the spent cartridge cases are each provided with an elongated slot, and ejector mechanism being fixed alongside the gun cradle and carrying an ejector abutment which it feeds along the said slot 7 of the adjacent receiver to eject the spent cartridge case.

16. Mechanism for conveying rounds into the loading position on a gun mounted in a cradle with trunnions about the axis of which the gun is adjustable for changing the angle of elevation thereof, and in which the rounds are fed into the breech in co-axial alignment with the gun; said mechanism comprising a rotary carrier, means rotatably supporting said carrier for movement with said gun so that the axis of rotation of the carrier always is disposed at an angle of 45 relative to the axes of said gun and said trunnions and intersects said axes at the point of intersection of the latter, at least one tubular receiver mounted on said carrier so that the longitudinal axis of said receiver lies in a radial plane extending through said axis of rotation of the carrier and is inclined at 45 relative to said axis of rotation of the carrier to pass through said point of intersection so that said tubular receiver is movable with said carrier between a round receiving position aligned axially with the axis of the trunnions and the loading position aligned axially with the gun, and means to guide rounds into said receiver along the axis of said trunnions.

CHRISTOPHER FRANCIS BRERETON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

